IMPORT CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 128, 26 November 1940, Page 6

IMPORT CONTROL

EFFECT ON PRICES

METHOD CRITICISED

CHANGE SUGGESTED

I "The general public is undoubtedly being required to pay high prices for goods produced in this country where the quantities of articles manufactured are insufficient to be economic," declared Mr. G. W. Cruthrie, of Wellington, in his presidential address to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Importers' Federation at Wellington today, when advocating a change in the method of controlling imports into New Zealand. The least that could be expected in present circumstances, he said, was that third and fourth period licences be extended to cover shipments prior to December 31, 1940. "We all recognise," the president said, "that some sort of restriction was required, and, according to the present state of sterling funds in London, is still required; but I am of the opinion that the whole community would have been better served had these restrictions come through the trading banks in co-operation with the Government. AN AMENDED TARIFF. "Instead of the present restrictions or' selections, as they are sometimes j called, the Customs Tariff could have been amended so as to give further protection to what could authoritatively be considered worth-while secondary industries. The general public is undoubtedly being required to pay high prices for goods produced in this j country where the quantities of articles manufactured are insufficient to be economic. ' The whole system of importation should be on a definitely controlled tariff and not in its present form, where an advantage is sometimes gained by one importer who happens to be a better advocate than another. The right of all interested importers should be considered whenever any special relaxation is given in. connection with any restricted goods. "The Minister's recent decision in connection with the time of departure of vessels carrying goods which will qualify for entry in New Zealand under third and,.fourth period licences, though appreciated, is indeed a very small consideration. "We are at war and every help should be given to manufacturers in the United Kingdom, and the least we would expect at a time like this would be that third and fourth period licences be extended to cover shipments made prior to December 31, 1940. "The drastic cuts made in the importations of many lines are made worse by higher overseas costs and higher freights and war risk insurance, and mean still greater reduction in the quantities of many essential imported commodities."